Form connector

ABSTRACT

A form connector for use in connecting adjacent forms is provided. The form connector includes a frame in the shape of a channel that has a top wall and a pair of extending side walls. The bottom of the frame is open along the length of the side walls, and the end of the frame includes opposite open ends for receipt of forms to create a form structure. The form connector also includes a leg that extends from one of the side walls with a surface configured for engaging a form and located closer to the bottom than to the top wall of the frame. The surface of the leg has a length that is less than the length of the side walls between the opposite ends of the frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a form connector for use inconnecting forms to develop a form structure into which concrete can bepoured to construct a sidewalk, driveway or the like. More particularly,the present application involves a form connector that allows theconnected forms to ascend or descend a hill or other sloped surface.

BACKGROUND

Concrete is commonly used in the construction of structures such assidewalks, driveways and buildings. After cement, aggregate and waterare appropriately mixed, the resulting wet mix is generally poured intoa form structure that is used to hold the mix into a desired shape whiledrying. The upper surface of the concrete can be compacted and leveledwhile in the form structure in order to be both strengthened and shaped.Surfaces of the concrete can then be treated to achieve a desiredaesthetic appearance and the form structure can be removed once theconcrete has set.

The form structure can be made by a series of interconnected forms. Inthe construction industry it is common to use forms made of lumber. Forinstance, 2×4s or 1×4s may be used although it is known to use formsmade of other types of material such as metal. The forms are generallyelongated members and are arranged in series with one another so as toform a desired frame into which the concrete may be poured. Asconstruction jobs typically vary from site to site, the use of lumberforms is advantageous in that the forms can be quickly and easily cut tovarious lengths as needed. As the forms are generally elongated members,the forms can be bent or curved over their length to result in a desiredshape.

Once the forms have been laid out into a form structure, they arecommonly attached to one another through use of an additional, smallerpiece of lumber. Here, the ends of adjoining forms are abutted againstone another and the additional, smaller piece of lumber is placedagainst both forms on the side opposite that which will engage thepoured concrete. This connecting piece of lumber is then nailed to thesides of the abutting forms in order to result in the abutting formsbeing connected to one another. Stakes can likewise be driven into thesides of the forms opposite that which contact the concrete in order toreinforce the resulting form structure as the interior of the formstructure is subsequently filled with concrete.

The form structure is removed after drying of the poured concrete. Inorder to reduce waste and save on cost of subsequent constructionprojects, the forms are saved for future use. In order to remove theforms from the dried concrete, the connecting piece is disengaged fromabutting forms. This disengagement is typically done in the fastestmanner possible which involves tearing the connecting piece off of theforms. As can be imagined, the forms are susceptible to being damagedwhen the connecting piece is forcibly removed. The forms thus becomedamaged over time which leads to the forms being discarded and henceresults in an increase in the cost of construction.

Connectors for use in attaching sequential forms that do not involvedriving nails into the forms are known. These types of connectors aregenerally made of metal and have resilient members that give when theends of sequential forms are forced into the connector. The resilientmembers apply a holding force to the forms in order to retain the formsin a desired position. Although these types of connectors work well fortheir intended purpose, they are not capable of holding forms togetherthat slope upwards over the crown of a hill or slope downwards across avalley. These types of connectors hold forms in such a way that offersno versatility in angling the forms upwards or downwards when slopedform structures are needed. As such, there remains room for variationand improvement within the art.

SUMMARY

Various features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the following description, or may be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned from practice of the invention.

One aspect of the present invention provides for a form connector foruse in connecting adjacent forms. The form connector includes a frame inthe shape of a channel. The frame has a top wall and a pair of sidewalls extending therefrom. The lengths of the top wall and side wallsextend between opposite ends of the frame. The opposite ends of theframe are open for receipt of forms The frame has a bottom that is openalong the length of the side walls between the opposite ends of theframe. A leg is also included that extends from one of the side walls.The leg has a surface configured for engaging a form. This surface iscloser to the bottom of the frame than to the top wall of the frame. Thesurface of the leg has a length that is less than the length of the sidewalls between opposite ends of the frame.

An additional aspect of the present invention resides in a formconnector as immediately discussed that also has a second leg. Thesecond leg extends from one of the side walls of the frame. The secondleg has a second surface configured for engaging a form. The secondsurface is closer to the bottom of the frame than to the top wall of theframe. The second surface has a length that is less than the length ofthe side walls between the opposite ends of the frame.

Another aspect of the present invention is provided in a form connectoras discussed above in which the leg extends from a position between theends of the frame. The leg is offset a distance from each of the ends ofthe frame along the length of the side wall.

A further aspect of the present invention is found in a form connectoras previously discussed in which the side walls and top wall define aninterior. Adjacent forms are capable of being disposed in the interior.The interior is configured so that adjacent forms are capable ofcontacting one another.

The present invention also provides for a form connector as discussedprior in which the frame and the leg define an empty space that has aheight that is the distance between the bottom of the frame and thesurface of the leg that is configured for engaging the form. The emptyspace extends along the length of the side walls the distance from oneof the ends of the frame to the other end of the frame.

Also provided in accordance with another aspect of the present inventionis a form connector that has a frame with a pair of side walls thatextend from a frame. The frame defines an interior that is configuredfor receiving a pair of adjacent forms. The frame has a bottom that isat least partially open. A leg is present and is connected to the frame.The frame and leg are configured to allow the pair of adjacent forms totouch one another. The frame and leg are configured to allow the pair ofadjacent forms to be arranged so that the top surfaces of the pair ofadjacent forms are not parallel to one another when received by theinterior of the frame.

An additional aspect of the present invention resides in a formconnector as immediately discussed that also has a second leg. Thesecond leg is connected to the frame. The first leg and second leg arespaced from one another and define a space therebetween.

Another aspect of the present invention exists in a form connector asimmediately mentioned in which each of the legs has a surface that facesthe bottom of the frame and are configured for engaging at least one ofthe forms. The lengths of the side walls of the frame extend from anopen end of the frame to an opposite open end of the frame. Both of thelegs are located at positions along the length of one of the side wallsso that both are offset a distance from each of the ends of the framealong the length of the side wall.

An additional aspect of the present invention is found in a formconnector as previously mentioned in which the leg has a surfaceconfigured for engaging a form. The frame and leg define an empty spacethat has a height that is the distance between the bottom of the frameand the surface of the leg configured for engaging the form. The emptyspace extends along the length of the side walls the distance from anopen end of the frame to an opposite open end of the frame.

Another aspect of the present invention resides in a form connector asdiscussed above in which the side walls each have surfaces configuredfor engaging a pair of forms. Also, the surfaces of the side walls arerigid.

Another aspect of the present invention is provided for in a formconnector discussed prior in which the leg is L-shaped.

The present invention also provides for a form connector for use inconnecting adjacent forms that has a frame in the shape of a channel.The frame has a top wall and a pair of side walls extending therefrom.The lengths of the top wall and side walls extend between opposite endsof the frame. The opposite ends of the frame are open for receipt offorms therethrough. The frame has a bottom that is open along the lengthof the side walls between the opposite ends of the frame. The side wallshave rigid surfaces configured for engaging forms. A pair of L-shapedlegs are included and extend from the same side wall of the frame. Bothof the legs have a surface configured for engaging a form. Theaforementioned surfaces of the legs are closer to the bottom of theframe than to the top wall of the frame. The surfaces of the legs arelocated the same distance from the bottom of the frame. The legs arelocated at positions along the length of the side wall so that the legsare offset a distance from each of the ends of the frame along thelength of the side wall. The pair of legs are spaced from one anotheralong the length of the side wall to define a space therebetween. Theframe and legs define an empty space that has a height that is thedistance between the bottom of the frame and the surfaces of the legs.The empty space extends along the length of the side walls the distancefrom the open end of the frame to the opposite open end of the frame.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, whichmakes reference to the appended Figs. in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a form connector in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the form connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the form connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the form connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the form connector of FIG. 1 with adjacentforms located on generally level ground.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the form connector of FIG. 1 with adjacentforms located generally at the crest of a hill.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the form connector of FIG. 1 with adjacentforms located generally at the bottom of a valley.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the form connector of FIG. 1 with adjacentforms that do not contact one another and located generally at the crestof a hill.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the form connector of FIG. 1 withadjacent forms that are curved along their length about a verticalradius of curvature.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a form structure located on an incline withpeaks and valleys that is made by a series of forms connected with theform connectors of FIG. 1.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features orelements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and notmeant as a limitation of the invention. For example, featuresillustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used withanother embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intendedthat the present invention include these and other modifications andvariations.

It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include allranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all rangesmentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentionedranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned hereininclude all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance,a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to4.5.

The present invention provides for a form connector 10 used to connectadjacent forms 12 and 14 when building a form structure 66 inconstructing walkways, driveways and other concrete structures. The formconnector 10 allows adjacent forms 12 and 14 to be arranged next to oneanother so that their top surfaces 54 and 56 are not parallel to oneanother. This feature may be advantageous when the forms 12 and 14 arelocated on a surface that is inclined that has one or more peaks andvalleys.

FIGS. 1 through 4 show a form connector 10 in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment of the present invention. The form connector 10includes a frame 16 that has a top wall 18 from which a pair of sidewalls 20 and 22 extend. The frame 16 has ends 24 and 26 located onopposite sides that are open. As can be seen, the interior 50 and bottom32 of frame 16 are open from end 24 to end 26. In this regard, frame 16is channel shaped. However, it is to be understood that frame 16 can bevariously configured in other embodiments and need not have walls 18, 20or 22 and need not be channel shaped with open interior 50 and/or bottom32. For example, the frame 16 may have an I-beam shape, ellipticalshape, or an L-bracket shape in accordance with various exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

The top wall 18 has a surface 58 that faces the interior 50 of frame 16.In addition, side walls 20 and 22 also have surfaces 60 and 62 that facethe interior 50 of frame 16. The side walls 20 and 22 can be arranged sothat surfaces 60 and 62 are parallel to one another and are eachoriented at a 90° angle to surface 58 of top wall 18. Although thesurfaces 60 and 62 can be set at any distance to one another, they arespaced at ⅞^(th) of an inch in the embodiment shown. Other arrangementsare possible in which the side walls 20 and 22 are angled with respectto top wall 18 so that surfaces 60 and 62 are oriented at an angle up to110° to surface 58. In further exemplary embodiments, the side walls 20and 22 are oriented at different angles to the top wall 18 so thatsurfaces 60 and 62 are likewise oriented at different angles to surface58. Top wall 18 may be integrally formed with side walls 20 and 22 ormay be a separate component that is attached thereto through means suchas welding or mechanical fasteners. In accordance with one method ofproduction, a flat metal sheet of 16 gauge steel is twice bent in orderto form the top wall 18 and side walls 20 and 22.

A first leg 34 extends from the bottom of side wall 20. The first leg 34is an L-shaped member as shown in FIGS. 1-4. A second leg 40 alsoextends from side wall 20 and is spaced from the first leg 34. Althoughshown as an L-shaped member, the second leg 40 can be variously shapedin accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present invention.It is also to be understood that the legs 34 and 40 can have the sameshape as one another or may have a different shape from one another inother exemplary embodiments. Further, although described as extendingfrom side wall 20, the legs 34 and 40 may each extend from side wall 22or may extend from both side wall 20 and side wall 22 in variousembodiments. Further, the form connector 10 can be configured so thatthe legs 34 and 40 do not extend from the side walls 20 and 22 inaccordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Asshown in FIGS. 1-4, the legs 34 and 40 are integrally formed with frame16. Other embodiments exist in which the legs 34 and 40 are separatecomponents that are attached to side wall 20 through various means suchas adhesion, welding, mechanical fasteners, sonic welding or brazing.

Top wall 18 of frame 16 has a length 28. Additionally, side walls 20 and22 have lengths 30 and 31 that are the same as length 28 in theexemplary embodiment shown. However, it is to be understood that otherembodiments exist in which length 28 is greater or less than the lengths30 and 31 of side walls 20 and 22. Further embodiments are also possiblein which the length 30 of side wall 20 is different than the length 31of side wall 22. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, thelengths 28, 30 and 31 are all 8 inches. However, in other embodimentsthe lengths 28, 30 and 31 may be up to 24 inches. The first leg 34 islocated along the length 30 of side wall 20 so as to be a distance 46from the end 24. In a similar manner, second leg 40 is located along thelength 30 of side wall 20 a distance 48 from end 26. Distances 46 and 48may be the same as one another or may be different in various exemplaryembodiments. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, distance 46 is ½ inch and distance 48 is ½ inch. However, itis to be understood that other embodiments are possible in whichdistances 46 and 48 are up to 3 inches. Side walls 20 and 22 each have aheight that is generally oriented at 90° to their lengths 30 and 31. Theheights of side walls 20 and 22 are 2.75 inches in the embodiment shownbut may be up to 12 inches in other embodiments.

As shown, a space 52 is defined between the first leg 34 and the secondleg 40. Space 52 may extend a distance of 3 inches in a directionparallel to the length 30 of side wall 20. In other configurations, thelength of space 52 in the direction parallel to length 30 is up to 6inches. Space 52 can be completely open so that nothing is presentacross the width of space 52 which extends from opposite ends of legs 34and 40 in a direction perpendicular to the length 30 of side wall 20.

First leg 34 has a first surface 36 that is oriented so as to face thebottom 32 of frame 16. As shown, first surface 36 is planar in shape butcan be variously shaped in other embodiments. The first surface 36 has alength 38 that extends in a direction generally parallel to thedirection of length 30 of side wall 20. In accordance with oneembodiment of the invention, length 38 is 2 inches. Other embodimentsare possible in which length 38 is up to 6 inches. The second leg 40 hasa second surface 42 that is likewise oriented in facing relationshipwith bottom 32 of frame 16. Although shown as being planar in shape, thesecond surface 42 can alternatively be contoured. The second surface 42has a length 44 that extends generally parallel to the length 30 of sidewall 20. As with length 38, length 44 is 2 inches in the exemplaryembodiment shown but may be up to 6 inches in other embodiments.Although shown as being the same, the lengths 38 and 44 of surfaces 36and 42 may be different in accordance with various exemplaryembodiments. For example, length 38 may be 1 inch and length 44 may be 4inches in one configuration of the form connector 10. The legs 34 and 40are L-shaped in the embodiment shown so that the surfaces 36 and 42 areoriented at a right angle to the vertically extending portions of thelegs 34 and 40 contiguous with the side wall 20. Other embodiments arepossible in which the surfaces 36 and 42 are not oriented at 90° but areinstead oriented at various angles to the upwardly extending portions oflegs 34 and 40. The width or depth of surfaces 36 and 42, which extendat a generally 90° angle to the direction of length 30 of side wall 20,may be 1 inch in certain exemplary embodiments. The width or depth ofsurfaces 36 and 42 may be from ¼ inch to 6 inches in accordance withother exemplary embodiments. It is to be understood that although shownin relation to planar surfaces 36 and 42, lengths 38 and 44 can beassociated with variously shaped surfaces 36 and 42. In this regard,surfaces 36 and 42 can be convex, concave, sinusoidal, or shapedotherwise. Here, the lengths 38 and 44 are still present and representthe lengths of the surfaces 36 and 42 in the direction generallyparallel to the length 30 of side wall 20.

The form connector 10 defines an empty space 64. Empty space 64 has aheight that extends from the bottom 32 of frame 16 to the surfaces 36and 42 of the legs 34 and 40. In accordance with one exemplaryembodiment, the height of empty space 64 is 1 inch. However, otherembodiments are possible in which the height of empty space 64 is from ¼inch to 6 inches. The empty space 64 has a length that extends the samedistance as the length 30 of side wall 22. The length of empty space 64is 8 inches in the displayed embodiment but may be from 3 inches to 18inches in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. Empty space 64 isaligned with both the space 52 between legs 34 and 40 and also with theopen bottom 32 of frame 16 so that a surface 58 of top wall 18 isvisible as shown in FIG. 4. As such, empty space 64 has a generallyrectangular shape but can be variously shaped in accordance with otherexemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows the form connector 10 as previously described in relationto FIGS. 1-4 being used to connect a pair of forms 12 and 14. Forms 12and 14 can be made of lumber 2×4s or 1×4s. However, it is to beunderstood that form 12 and/or form 14 can be made of metal, plastic ora composite material in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.An end of the forms 12 and 14 are inserted into the interior 50 of frame16 and also into the previously empty space 64 defined by the frame 16and legs 34 and 40. The frame 16 and legs 34 and 40 can be sized toaccept forms 12 and 14 of a certain size so that the ends of forms 12and 14 are frictionally retained by the form connector 10. However, itis to be understood that the form connector 10 can still function toretain forms 12 and 14 even if the forms 12 and 14 are loosely retainedin the form connector 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the ends of forms 12 and14 abut one another so that they make contact at some point within theform connector 10. The point of contact of forms 12 and 14 may be at themidpoint of the length 30 of side wall 20 or may be at any otherlocation along length 30. The bottom of form 12 contacts the secondsurface 42 of second leg 40, and the bottom of form 14 contacts thefirst surface 36 of the first leg 34. Both form 12 and form 14 contactthe surfaces 58, 60 and 62 of the top wall 18 and side walls 20 and 22of frame 16. However, other arrangements are possible in which one orboth of the forms 12 and 14 do or do not contact the various surfaces36, 42, 58, 60 and 62.

The ground 68 shown in FIG. 5 is substantially level. The forms 12 and14 rest on the ground 68 and are thus generally linearly arranged withrespect to one another. The form connector 10 retains both of the forms12 and 14 and is oriented so that the top wall 18 is located above theforms 12 and 14 and so that the bottoms of legs 34 and 40 are locatedunder forms 12 and 14. The forms 12 and 14 are arranged next to oneanother so that the top surface 54 of form 12 is parallel with the topsurface 56 of form 14. Connection of form 12 and form 14 causes a formstructure 66 to be produced that can be used to build driveways, sidewalks and the like. Stakes and other supporting members can be installedin order to finish or reinforce the form structure 66. The formconnector 10 can be arranged with respect to the forms 12 and 14 so thatconcrete can be poured on either side of the form connector 10. Once theconcrete has been poured and has hardened to a sufficient degree, thestakes and then the form structure 66 can be removed from the edge ofthe concrete. The form structure 66 can be struck or the forms 12 and 14can otherwise be pulled or forced from the form connector 10. Oncedisassembled, the forms 12 and 14 along with the form connector 10 canbe reused at a future job site.

The configuration of the form connector 10 may be helpful in allowingforms 12 and 14 to be connected to one another when the ground 68 is notlevel. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention inwhich a form connector 10 is used to connect forms 12 and 14 at thecrown of a hill. The forms 12 and 14 are again retained by the formconnector 10 but are oriented at an angle to one another so that the topsurface 54 of form 12 is not parallel with the top surface 56 of form14. The ends of forms 12 and 14 are arranged so that they do notcompletely contact one another but are instead simply touching at apoint or line near their bottom ends thus forming a V-shaped gap in theinterior 50 of frame 16. The distance 46 of first leg 34 to end 24 andthe distance 48 of second leg 40 to end 26 provide clearance to allowthe forms 12 and 14 to be angled in the form connector 10 for utility onuneven ground 68. The resulting form structure 66 can thus be used toconstruct a driveway, side walk or other surface much in the same manneras previously discussed with respect to the arrangement in FIG. 5.Although shown as being oriented at approximately the same angle withrespect to the form connector 10, the forms 12 and 14 can each be atdifferent angles to the form connector 10 if the ground 68 slopes atdifferent angles on opposite sides of the elevated mound or crown. Forms12 and 14 can have a height less than the distances from surfaces 36 and42 to surface 58 to allow for the forms 12 and 14 to be angled in theform connector 10. Alternatively, one or both of the forms 12 and 14 canhave a height the same as that from surfaces 36 and 42 to surface 58 butcan have force from a user applied thereto in order to be oriented intoan angular configuration in form connector 10.

FIG. 7 shows another exemplary embodiment of the form connector 10.Here, the ground 68 forms a valley instead of a crown as previouslydescribed in relation to FIG. 6. The form connector 10 is configured toallow the forms 12 and 14 to be connected and arranged with respect toone another so that the resulting form structure 66 can ascend ordescent uneven ground 68 to help build a driveway, side walk or otherstructure that has a valley. As shown, the top surface 54 of form 12 isnot parallel with the top surface 56 of form 14. The tops of the ends offorms 12 and 14 meet at a point or line thus forming an invertedV-shaped gap between the forms 12 and 14. The forms 12 and 14 contactand are at least partially retained by the surfaces 60 and 62 of theside walls 20 and 22. Due to the angled orientation of forms 12 and 14,the surfaces 36 and 42 of legs 34 and 40 may or may not be contacted.The space 52 between the legs 34 and 40 provides clearance for the forms12 and 14 thus allowing the angular orientation shown. As the forms 12and 14 are oriented, they do not completely fill the interior 50 offrame 16 and the empty space 64 in contrast to the orientation of forms12 and 14 as discussed in relation to FIG. 5. The point of contactbetween forms 12 and 14 occurs at approximately the midpoint of thelength 30 of the side wall 20. Other arrangements exist in which thepoint of contact of forms 12 and 14 takes place at locations besides themidpoint of length 30. Further, although shown as having generally thesame angular orientation with respect to the form connector 10, theforms 12 and 14 can each be oriented at a different angle with respectto the form connector 10. This may be the case in which the ground 68 oneither side of the valley rises at a different angle.

The form connector 10 can also be used to connect forms 12 and 14 thatthemselves do not contact one another. FIG. 8 shows one such arrangementin which the forms 12 and 14 are retained by form connector 10 to createa form structure 66 located at the crown of a hill. The ends of forms 12and 14 are located in the form connector 10 and contact surfaces 36, 42,58, 60 and 62 but do not completely fill the interior 50 and the emptyspace 64. Again, the offsetting of legs 34 and 40 from ends 24 and 26such that distances 46 and 48 are created provides clearance for theforms 12 and 14 to be angled in the displayed manner. The sloping ofground 68 is more extreme in FIG. 8 than in FIG. 6 and the ends of forms12 and 14 are located further away from one another in form connector 10in view of this topography.

As mentioned, the forms 12 and 14 can be made of pieces of 1×4 lumber.Extended pieces of such lumber are capable of curving over theirlengths. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a form structure 66 made byforms 12 and 14 composed of 1×4 lumber. Forms 12 and 14 are connected toone another through use of form connector 10. Forms 12 and 14 are curvedabout their length so that they each have a vertically oriented axis ofcurvature. The ability of forms 12 and 14 to curve allows for theresulting form structure 66 to be curved to assist in building drivewaysand side walks with this resulting shape. In addition to curving about avertical axis of curvature, the form connector 66 may allow for theforms 12 and 14 to have top surfaces 54 and 56 angled with respect toone another. As such, the resulting form structure 66 enjoys increasedversatility during use.

A series of forms may be connected to one another with several formconnectors 10 to construct a form structure 66 to be used over ground 68with a varying topography. FIG. 10 shows one such form structure 66 usedon ground 68 that has various crowns, valleys and inclines. Althoughdescribed as being used in conjunction with crowns and valleys, the formconnector 10 can be used to connect forms 12 and 14 to one another thatare not located on distinct crowns or valleys but are instead located onportions of the ground 68 that slope at different angles to one another.In this regard, the forms 12 and 14 will be oriented at different angleswith respect to the form connector 10. Certain ones of adjacent forms 12and 14 may be located on ground 68 that does not change angularly. Here,the forms 12 and 14 can be connected in a linear fashion as previouslydescribed with reference to FIG. 5. The configuration of form connector10 may allow adjacent forms 12 and 14 to be connected to one another sothat their top surfaces 54 and 56 are not parallel to one another butare instead oriented at an angle to one another.

Although various components of the form connector 10 were describedherein as having certain dimensions, it is to be understood that theaforementioned dimensions were only for sake of example and are notlimiting to the present invention. The present invention includesvarious form connectors 10 that may or may not have components with thepreviously discussed dimensions.

While the present invention has been described in connection withcertain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subjectmatter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limitedto those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for thesubject matter of the invention to include all alternatives,modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit andscope of the following claims.

1. A form connector for use in connecting adjacent forms, comprising: aframe in the shape of a channel, wherein said frame has a top wall and apair of side walls extending therefrom, wherein the lengths of said topwall and said side walls extend between opposite ends of said frame,wherein said opposite ends of said frame are open for receipt of formstherethrough, wherein said frame has a bottom that is open along thelength of said side walls between said opposite ends of said frame; anda leg extending from one of said side walls of said frame, wherein saidleg has a surface configured for engaging a form and wherein saidsurface of said leg is closer to said bottom of said frame than to saidtop wall of said frame, wherein said surface of said leg has a lengththat is less than the length of said side walls between said oppositeends of said frame.
 2. The form connector as set forth in claim 1,further comprising a second leg extending from one of said side walls ofsaid frame, wherein said second leg has a second surface configured forengaging a form and wherein said second surface of said second leg iscloser to said bottom of said frame than to said top wall of said frame,wherein said second surface of said second leg has a length that is lessthan the length of said side walls between said opposite ends of saidframe.
 3. The form connector as set forth in claim 2, wherein said legsare spaced from one another along the length of said side wall fromwhich said legs extend.
 4. The form connector as set forth in claim 3,wherein both of said legs extend from a position between said ends ofsaid frame such that both of said legs are offset a distance from eachof said ends of said frame along the length of said side wall.
 5. Theform connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said leg extends from aposition between said ends of said frame such that said leg is offset adistance from each of said ends of said frame along the length of saidside wall.
 6. The form connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidside walls and said top wall define an interior into which adjacentforms are capable of being disposed, and wherein said interior isconfigured such that adjacent forms are capable of contacting oneanother.
 7. The form connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said legis L-shaped.
 8. The form connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidtop wall and said side walls of said frame have surfaces that areconfigured for engaging a form, and wherein said surfaces of said topwall and said side walls of said frame that are configured for engaginga form are planar.
 9. The form connector as set forth in claim 1,wherein said frame and said leg define an empty space having a heightthat is the distance between said bottom of said frame and said surfaceof said leg configured for engaging the form, wherein said empty spaceextends along the length of said side walls the distance from one ofsaid ends of said frame to the other of said ends of said frame.
 10. Theform connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said frame and said legare integrally formed with one another.
 11. A form connector,comprising: a frame having a top wall and a pair of side walls extendingtherefrom, wherein said frame defines an interior configured forreceiving a pair of adjacent forms, wherein said frame has a bottom thatis at least partially open; and a leg connected to said frame; whereinsaid frame and said leg are configured to allow the pair of adjacentforms to touch one another, and wherein said frame and said leg areconfigured to allow the pair of adjacent forms to be arranged such thatthe top surfaces of the pair of adjacent forms are not parallel to oneanother when received by said interior of said frame.
 12. The formconnector as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a second legconnected to said frame, wherein said first leg and said second leg arespaced from one another so as to define a space therebetween.
 13. Theform connector as set forth in claim 12, wherein each of said legs has asurface that faces said bottom of said frame and are configured forengaging at least one of the forms, and wherein the lengths of said sidewalls of said frame extend from an open end of said frame to an oppositeopen end of said frame, and wherein both of said legs are located atpositions along the length of one of said side walls such that both ofsaid legs are offset a distance from each of said ends of said framealong the length of said side wall.
 14. The form connector as set forthin claim 11, wherein said leg has a surface that faces said bottom ofsaid frame and is configured for engaging a form, and wherein thelengths of said side walls of said frame extend from an open end of saidframe to an opposite open end of said frame, and wherein said leg islocated at a position along the length of one of said side walls suchthat said leg is offset a distance from each of said ends of said framealong the length of said side wall.
 15. The form connector as set forthin claim 11, wherein said leg is L-shaped.
 16. The form connector as setforth in claim 11, wherein said top wall and said side walls of saidframe have surfaces that are configured for engaging the pair of forms,and wherein said surfaces of said top wall and said side walls of saidframe that are configured for engaging the pair of forms are planar. 17.The form connector as set forth in claim 11, wherein said leg has asurface configured for engaging a form, and wherein said frame and saidleg define an empty space having a height that is the distance betweensaid bottom of said frame and said surface of said leg configured forengaging the form, wherein said empty space extends along the length ofsaid side walls the distance from an open end of said frame to anopposite open end of said frame.
 18. The form connector as set forth inclaim 11, wherein said frame and said leg are integrally formed with oneanother.
 19. The form connector as set forth in claim 11, wherein saidside walls each have surfaces configured for engaging a pair of forms,and wherein said surfaces of said side walls are rigid.
 20. A formconnector for use in connecting adjacent forms, comprising: a frame inthe shape of a channel, wherein said frame has a top wall and a pair ofside walls extending therefrom, wherein the lengths of said top wall andsaid side walls extend between opposite ends of said frame, wherein saidopposite ends of said frame are open for receipt of forms therethrough,wherein said frame has a bottom that is open along the length of saidside walls between said opposite ends of said frame, wherein said sidewalls have surfaces configured for engaging forms and wherein saidsurfaces of said side walls are rigid; and a pair of L-shaped legs eachextending from the same one of said side wall of said frame, whereinboth of said legs have a surface configured for engaging a form andwherein said surfaces of said legs are closer to said bottom of saidframe than to said top wall of said frame, wherein said surfaces of saidlegs are located the same distance from said bottom of said frame,wherein said legs are located at positions along the length of said sidewall such that said legs are offset a distance from each of said ends ofsaid frame along the length of said side wall, wherein said pair of legsare spaced from one another along the length of said side wall so as todefine a space therebetween; wherein said frame and said legs define anempty space having a height that is the distance between said bottom ofsaid frame and said surfaces of said legs, wherein said empty spaceextends along the length of said side walls the distance from said openend of said frame to said opposite open end of said frame.